If you enjoy adventure, nature, and a destination rich in history, then it’s time to dive into Darwin. NT’s capital is ideal for those who want lasting family memories from a vacation, without spending a ridiculous amount of money.
Plan your own family holiday to the Northern Territory with our pick of the BEST family-friendly activities in Darwin. We’re talking an epic wave lagoon, wild turtle encounters, and an outdoor cinema under the stars – and that’s just for starters!
Read on for the full scoop on the Top End’s capital.
17 fun family activities in Darwin, NT
1. Darwin Wave Lagoon
One of Darwin’s most-loved family attractions, the Wave Lagoon offers a stinger and crocodile-free place to swim. Older kids will love bobbing, boogie boarding and tube riding the gentle waves while younger kids can splash and swim in the shallow water play area. The Wave Lagoon forms part of the Darwin Waterfront Precinct where you’ll find eateries, a children’s playground and a sandy beach.
2. Crocosaurus Cove
If there’s one animal that’s synonymous with the Northern Territory, it’s the saltwater crocodile, and you can see some of the largest specimens in the country at Crocosaurus Cove. See the force of a crocodile’s jaw during the Big Croc Feed Show and safely swim with juvenile crocs in the pool, then have your pic taken holding an adorable baby crocodile.
3. George Brown Botanic Gardens
Immerse yourself in the tropical paradise that is the George Brown Botanic Gardens, which is magnificently planted with native and exotic flora. Learn about Indigenous plant use at the newly opened visitor’s centre and see majestic baobabs in the African-Madagascan garden, then enjoy a play break at the three-storey treehouse.
4. Museum and Art Gallery of the NT
Darwin’s premier cultural institution, the Museum and Art Gallery of the NT is packed with exhibits exploring the region’s heritage. Highlights for families include the Discovery Centre, where kids can participate in free activities, and the feeding of the museum’s resident pig-nosed turtle. No trip is complete without seeing Sweetheart — a taxidermied croc that was notorious for attacking boats in the 1970s.
5. Darwin Sailing Club
Whether you want to learn to sail or just enjoy a peaceful cruise around the harbour, the Darwin Sailing Club is the place to make it happen. It centres around an open and airy clubhouse overlooking Fannie Bay, where you can feast on seafood while watching the spectacular sunset.
6. The Defence of Darwin Experience
At the heart of the Darwin Military Museum is this immersive exhibit, which details the bombing of Darwin by Japanese forces on 19 February 1942. Through first-hand accounts and multimedia presentations, kids can learn about life in the Northern Territory during World War II, then record their family’s story and links to war in the digital story-telling space.
7. Mindil Beach Markets
The Mindil Beach Markets are a Darwin institution and take place every Thursday and Sunday from late April until late October. There are more than 200 stalls offering everything from local handicrafts to massages on the waterfront, accompanied by live music and a mouthwatering array of multicultural food. For the brave, it’s a great opportunity to try local delicacies such as kangaroo and crocodile while watching the sunset over the Timor Sea.
8. Royal Flying Doctors Darwin
Learn about the history of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the bombing of Darwin through virtual reality and holographic technology at this interesting attraction. As well as listening to the tales of Nurse Kathy and seeing a full-size replica of a Japanese Zero aircraft, you can experience a virtual flight with a Royal Flying Doctors pilot.
9. Turtle Tracks tour to Bare Sand Island
Departing from Stokes Hill Wharf, the Turtle Tracks sunset cruise will take you to Bare Sand Island, which is an important nesting ground for flatback and olive ridley turtles. Led by knowledgeable guides, you’ll learn about the turtles’ lifecycles and hear stories of the Larrakia Nation before watching as the turtles lay their eggs or new hatchlings emerge on the sand.
10. Deckchair Cinema
Overlooking Darwin Harbour, the breezy Deckchair Cinema is the ideal place to catch a flick with the family during the dry season. Arrive early and grab a bite from one of the food stalls or bring your own picnic before settling into the comfy deckchairs for a family favourite or new release blockbuster.
11. Aquascene
For more than 50 years, bream, mullet and wild rays have been flocking to Darwin’s Doctors Gully at high tide for a free feed of bread. In 1981, Aquascene was established so that everyone could participate in the hand feeding in a sustainable manner. Relax in one of the stadium-style seats to watch the boisterous fish in action or wade into the shallows alongside them.
12. Territory Wildlife Park
A 45-minute drive south of Darwin, the Territory Wildlife Park offers up-close encounters with the Top End’s animals in a natural bush setting. Shuttle trains and walking trails link its treetop aviaries, lagoon and monsoon forest, as well as the aquarium where you can come face-to-face with a 4m-long saltwater crocodile. In the school holidays, the park hosts a series of educational workshops and interactive programs designed specifically for kids.
13. East Point Reserve
Clifftop walks, swimming, food trucks and history: it’s no wonder East Point Reserve is one of Darwin’s most popular family destinations. The 5km loop track around the reserve will entertain everyone from toddlers to grandparents, with great views over the harbour, as well as the chance to explore World War II relics including gun emplacements.
Lake Alexander has safe swimming year-round, or have a crack at stand-up paddling: lessons, and board hire can be arranged through Fun Supply. Add in playgrounds, picnic and barbecue areas for a good time (almost) guaranteed.
14. Litchfield National Park
With stunning waterfalls, natural plunge pools and shady monsoon forests a day trip to Litchfield is worth every minute of the two-hour drive. The Florence Creek walk links two of the park’s best swimming holes, Florence Falls and Buley Rockhole, in an easy 90-minute saunter.
Give yourself all day to explore and swim below Florence Falls and in Buley’s cascading pools. Another option is Wangi Falls, where twin waterfalls cascade into an enormous pool. There’s an in-season kiosk, grassy lawns for picnics, as well as bushwalking and camping options.
15. Darwin Harbour Sunset Cruise
A boat trip gives a different perspective on the NT capital. Sea Darwin offers everything from one-hour World War II history tours to evenings spent on remote islands. The Sunset Cruise is a crowd-pleaser: this 90 minute trip includes fish and chips, the chance to visit sandbars, see dolphins and appreciate the artwork of a Darwin sunset.
16. Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise
Another great animal adventure awaits you and your kids if you take part in the Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise on the Adelaide River, which is just a 45-minute drive from Darwin. Seeing the enormous crocodiles leap from the water to take the bait is an exhilarating, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
17. Day trip to Kakadu National Park
Drive along the Arnhem Highway from Darwin through Humpty Doo and its big boxing crocodile to World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park to experience its diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife, ancient rock art and Aboriginal culture.
Covering nearly 20,000sq km, the park also provides wonderful opportunities to swim in places such as the pool at the base of Jim Jim Falls and Maguk Gorge and see Indigenous rock art sites, including paintings of the extinct Thylacine at Ubirr.
Where to eat in Darwin with kids
Pick a cafe with a view at Darwin Waterfront for lunch. Curve Cafe and Bar is a great casual option with alfresco dining; Bravo Pasta & Wine Bar covers your Italian options; while Hot Tamale is great for taco cravings.
As the daylight hours start to wane, return to the waterfront to board a historic pearling lugger or catamaran for dinner with a sunset view.
Finish your holiday off with fresh local fish and chips at Cullen Bay Marina and find a spot to watch one last iconic Top End sunset.
Darwin's best family accommodation picks
See our guide to Darwin’s top hotels for a family holiday.
Top tips for visiting Darwin with kids
If you are staying in Darwin CBD, consider using Darwin’s bus network to get around. You can also grab a one- or two-day ticket for the Darwin Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus for easy access to attractions like Crocosaurus Cove, Darwin Waterfront Precinct, the Military Museum and more.
